To Steal a Kiss by Emma V Leech

Author:Emma V Leech [Leech, Emma V]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-05-02T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

I’m so looking forward to Vauxhall Gardens. Mama has bought me a lovely new gown in a splendid bronze colour, and I am to accompany Bedwin’s sister, Lady Helena. She’s such a comical thing, and not a bit high in the instep as you might imagine of a duke’s sister.

―Excerpt of a letter from Miss Minerva Butler to Miss Kitty Connolly.

The evening of the 26th June 1814. Vauxhall Gardens, Lambeth.

A great deal of screeching and shrill cries of distress rent the air as the Dowding family’s hired boat and a half dozen others approached the shallower waters at the edge of the Thames. The boats knocked together in their bid to reach the shore as watermen leapt forward, grabbing hold of the wherries and hauling them towards the banks. Ladies squealed and grabbed at their hats as the boats pitched and lurched. Alice gasped and took hold of the boat itself as the filthy water of the Thames lapped high up the sides. It had been rather lovely during the crossing on a beautiful summer’s evening, but less so when one considered being tipped in head first. Still, they were here, thank goodness.

Alice picked up the skirts of her dress and stepped carefully from the wherry as it swayed beneath her. Duck boards covered the filth and reek at the banks of the Thames, and she stepped with care on the slippery wood, picking her way in her satin slippers. It was a relief to be on solid ground again. The boat had seemed a slender thing to her eye, and low in the water once loaded with her well-sprung father, her mother, and several other guests. The watermen seemed blithely unconcerned, however, and so she’d tried to trust in their confidence and enjoy the experience.

Indeed, it was a lovely evening, the sun just setting and glinting in coral colours upon the dark waters of the Thames. The huge façade of the proprietor’s house greeted them, belonging to the urbane and compelling Mr Jonathan Tyers. Flaming torches lined the path from the water gate to the entrance. On exiting the building on the far side, it was like stepping into the colourful environs of a dream.

Vauxhall was lit up, a romantic and exotic setting, akin to entering the land of the fae.

Music was audible, drifting on the warm evening air, and Alice experienced a little shiver of excitement. She would see Nate tonight. This was what lovers did, arranged illicit rendezvous and used any excuse to meet in secret. That she had a lover seemed extraordinary and improbable, and only added to the dreamlike feel of the evening.

The gardens themselves were vast and Alice felt her fist twinge of anxiety at seeing just how expansive they were. Thank heavens she’d planned to meet Matilda and Nate by the cascade, for there would be little chance of stumbling upon them by accident.

There were a variety of walks to take around the gardens, all of them brilliantly lit by variegated coloured lamps.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.